JERUSALEM, March 7 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is considering a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the Haaretz news service reported Sunday.
That alternative includes a staggered pullback from several West Bank settlements,, Ha'aretz reported, adding Israel wants to establish a line of defense it could hold for years, with international backing.
U.S. officials have told Israel it would be difficult to galvanize international support for a disengagement from just the Gaza area, the news service noted.
Senior U.S. envoys are due in Jerusalem Wednesday to discuss the issues, including Israel's request Washington recognize a future annexation of three major West Bank settlement blocs: Gush Etzion, Ma'aleh Adumim and Ariel.
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz is to discuss the issues in Washington Thursday. Haaretz said he is willing to consider a withdrawal also from a narrow strip separating Egypt and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, providing Egypt undertakes to prevent arms smuggling there.
Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom is scheduled to discuss those issues in Cairo Thursday.
